Retaining and signaling means for slide fasteners



y 19, 1959 "c. FISCHER ET AL 2,886,825

RETAINING AND SIGNALING MEANS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 19 57 INVENTORS C. FISCHER ET'AL May 19, 1959 RETAINING AND SIGNALING MEANS FOR sum: FASTENERS Filed April 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS United States Patent RETAINING AND SIGNALING MEANS FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Cecil Fischer and Andrew Kafko, New York, N.

Application April 10, 1957, Serial No. 651,961 17 Claims. (Cl. 2-234) The present invention relates generally to retaining and signaling devices for slide fasteners and more particularly to a device that functions in a dual manner to retain the slide fasteners of garments in position after they have been pulled to closed position and to signal the condition of such slide fasteners if inadvertently left unclosed.

The use of slide fasteners has become conventional for most purposes where buttons formerly performed the required closing function; e.g., in womens clothes such as dresses, skirts, girdles and the like, sweaters, luggage, boots and the like, etc. Particularly, because of the ease and efficiency of their operation, slide fasteners have lent themselves admirably to practically universal acceptance as the closure means for womens dresses and bathing suits, and for the fly fronts of mens trousers. In this connection, infallibility of actual operation has been developed to a marked degree during the decades of use of slide fasteners generally. Devices have also been proposed to retain slide fasteners for mens trousers and the like; e.g., in US. Patents 2,111,924 and 2,656,579. Also, locking means have been built into the slide fastener manipulators per se that are operable by the pull tab and are considered more or less conventional. Such devices function as retaining or locking means only after the wearer has remembered to pull the slide fastener to or toward closed position.

However, insofar as we are aware, no feasible solution of the problem of assuring that such or other garment slide fasteners that are not equipped with retaining or locking means are moved to closed position has ever been proffered. The importance of an adequate solution of the foregoing problem appears self-evident. Thus, since the adoption of the use of garment slide fasteners, both men and women wearers of garments equipped with such closure devices have been in the shadow of the very real possibility that their particular garment slide fastener will inadvertently either be left in entirely unclosed position or in partially unclosed position. Apprehension of such an embarrassing situation is enhanced when the wearer is perforce exposed to even more gen eral public view as when teaching, lecturing, entertaining or otherwise appearing on a stage or podium and, particularly in the last decade, when appearing on television in the view of spectators that, at times, may literally number in the millions. The prior art devices, while offering solutions to related problems, have not, so far as We are aware, ever oflfered a solution of the problem here discussed.

With the foregoing problems and the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art practices and devices in this field in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide devices that will effectively retain the slide fastener of garments in closed position and will also signal the wearer of the unclosed condition of the slide fastener when such is the case.

It is another object of the invention to provide dually 2,886,825 Patented May 19, 1959 ice effective devices of the type referred to above that are adapted for direct use with the usual pull tab of the slide fasteners and the conventional buckles for mens (and womens) belts that comprise a substantially rectangular frame member, a movable prong positioned thereon, and a perforated belt end to be held thereby in selective position, as is well known. M

It is another object of this invention to provide an adaptor for such belt buckles as described above that may remain positioned on the belt buckle for most purposes of use while a more easily manipulated device performs the dual retaining and signaling function.

It is still another object of this invention to provide devices of the type described above that comprise audible signaling means that are rendered operative when the slide fastener with which it is used is in an unclosed condition and rendered inoperable when the devices are supported on the belt buckle in retaining relationship with the slide fastener after it has been pulled to closed position.

Itis yet another object of the present invention to' provide a novel belt buckle construction per se that comprises an embodiment of the present invention.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide dual retaining and signaling devices of the nature described that are easily detachable from their mounting means and easily attachable thereto with a minimum amount of lifting thereof necessary, above the final mounted position on said mounting means. i

A further object of the invention is to provide the aforesaid dual retaining and signaling devices with attachment means cooperating with attachment elements on their mounting means in a manner that no lifting above final mounted position of such devices is necessary.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide devices that perform the functions of the devices described but need not necessarily be mounted on the buckle of a belt. t

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the nature described that positively assures. a continued audible signal automatically when the slide fastener with which it is associated is in open condition.

An additional object of the invention is to provide simple but effective means for detachably connecting the dual retaining and signaling means to the usual pull tabs of conventional slide fasteners without the need of modifying such pull tabs structurally in any way.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the devices of the invention with a decorative function in addition to the utilitarian functions inherent therein.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it 'being understood that changes in the various precise embodiments of the invention herein described may be made within the scope of what is claimed Without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be further understood that our invention is sus ceptible of embodiment in many and various forms, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that the structural details and modes of assembly herein set forth may be varied and interchanged to suit particular purposes and still remain within our inventive concept.

The invention will be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification. In such drawings, wherein like numerals identify like parts in the several embodiments and views thereof,

Figure l is a perspective view of a preferred embodi meat of the dual retaining and signaling means of the invention shown removably mounted on the buckle of a trousers belt of conventional design and attached to the pull tab of a standard slide fastener for the fly of the pair of trousers with which the belt is operatively associated;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 shown detached from the buckle of the belt and suspended from the pull tab of the fly slide fastener now in unclosed condition, said device being in operative position for indicating such unclosed condition of the slide fastener;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section of the device shown in Figure 1 along section line 33 thereof to show the relationship of the attachment means and bell clapper of the device with the frame of the belt buckle and the belt web, respectively;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the pull tab connector means of Figure 1 shown detached from both the dual retaining and signaling means and the pull tab of the slide fastener;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a modification of the pull tab connector means of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-section of the pull tab connector means of Figure 5 along section line 5-5 thereof with the locking means shown in said lines in operative locking position with respect to a pull tab of a slide fastener; the same locking means "being shown in dotted lines in position to permit attachment or detachment with said pull tab;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention adapted for use with a conventional belt buckle of the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 by means of an adaptor structure basically similar to the dual retaining and signaling device of said Figures 1 and 3 but modified at its rear to have no clapper, and on its face and inturned walls, to removably retain a smaller dual retaining and signaling device and to accommodate belt buckle frames having horizontal bars varying from parallel, such device being shown removed from the adapter and turned to disclose its rear structure;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention applied to a belt buckle of the sliding and wedging type known in the art, but here structurally modified somewhat for such purpose, the retaining and signaling means per se being shown removed from the belt buckle structure and turned to expose the rear thereof in order to show the relationship of parts;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dual retaining and signaling means of the invention applied to a belt buckle of the type particularly adapted therefor in the manner disclosed in Figure 8, the retaining and signaling device per se being shown removed from and turned around to show the structure and relationship of parts in the manner of Figure 8;

Figure 10' is a perspective view of the rear of another embodiment of the dual retaining and signaling means that is similar to the retaining devices per se of Figures 8 and 9 but which may be employed by direct pinning attachment to a garment such as a womans' dress, skirt, blouse or thelike, rather than by being mounted on a belt buckle;

Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of a modification of the device .of Figure 10 wherein the garment-attaching means is a clip-on type rather than the pin of Figure 10 and the pull tab'connector is of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6 instead of that shown in Figures 1, 4-, 8 and 9;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of theinvention that is positive in audible signaling action when suspended in operative position and that also may be supported in easily removable relationship onother than a belt buckle; e.g., the webper se of a belt or the waist band of a pair of trousers, a waist band being shown for purposes of illustration, and the web connect- 4 ing means being also shown in dotted line position to indicate the mode of attachment and detachment; and

Figure 13 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 12, along section line 1313 thereof to show the internal structure and here shown inverted to illustrate the relationship of parts when the device is rendered operative.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown the top front portion of a pair of conventional mens trousers 2 having the usual fly front 3 equipped with a slide fastener 4 and operator 4 therefor having the customary apertured pull tab 5. The trousers 2 are also provided with a plurality of usual belt loops 6; Drawn through the belt loops 6, is a belt 7 of leather or other material having a buckle 8 of conventional design comprising the usual substantially rectangularly shaped metal frame 9 and fastening prong 10 attached to one end 13 of belt 7 and receiving the other end 13 of belt 7 in retaining straps 12 mounted on belt 7 in the usual manner. Belt 7 is provided with the usual holes 11 through which prong 10 selectively extends in known manner to be held in locking engagement with frame 9.

Still referring to Figure 1, there is mounted on the buckle 8, a dual holding and signaling means 14 as one embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in this figure, the dual holding and signaling means 14 comprises a main body portion or housing 15 of general convex configuration and preferably formed of a unitary sheet of metal that is stamped and bent to provide various structural elements now to be described.

As best seen in Figure 2, the main body 15 is bent at one end thereof at almost right angles thereto to provide a flange 22, which in turn carries a second flange 23 bent at substantially right angles to the flange 22 to thereby provide a substantially U-shaped channel. The second flange portion 23 has the end thereof bent into a substantially S-shaped curve, as best seen in Figure 3, to so provide a resilient clamp 24 for a purpose that will appear hereinafter. Both sides of the main body 15 have a lug 16 attached thereto and bent substantially at right angles therefrom. The two lugs 16 also have second lugs 17 bent therefrom that, as best seen in Figure 2, extend substantially parallel to the plane of main body 15 to form therewith a pair of opposed substantially U-shaped channels 318 for a purpose that will likewise appear hereinafter.

Continuing with the description of the structure of main body 15, as best seen in Figure 2, there is mounted on the inner surface thereof a pair of brackets 31 that mount by means of bearing apertures 32 therein a spindle 3% on which is fixedly attached a rod 29. The rod 29 has supported at the longer end, a bell clapper 28 and at the shorter end there is provided a stop lug 33 which limits outward swinging of rod 29 and bell clapper 23 mounted thereon with respect to main body 15. A. second body 20 is slidably mounted within the U-shaped channels 18 of main body 15 by means of legs 19. Preferably, a small amount of lateral play is provided for legs 19 in channels 18 for a reason to appear later. The legs 19 have bent therefrom, at their extreme ends, outturned flanges 21 that function as stop means for the outward sliding movement of body 20 in the main plane of body 15. Body 20 has a flange 25 similar to the flange 22 of main body 15 and a second flange 26 thereon extending substantially perpendicularly to the flange 25 and having a substantially S-curved cross-section 27 similar to S- curve 24 of body 15. As in the case of body 15, there is thus formed by body 26 a similar clamp defining a U- shaped channel. Preferably, there is provided on body 20 a tab 37 struck therefrom that facilitates grasping of body 20 for urging sliding movement thereof in the chan nels 13 provided by body 15 and lugs 16, 17 thereon. Tab 37 also functions to limit inward sliding movement of body 20 relative to main body 15 by ultimate abutment with the proximate end of body 15, while lugs 21 on body 20 limit outward sliding movement thereof with respect to body 15 as already described above.

Flange 22 on main body 15 has fixedly attached thereto a loop 34 on which is carried a connector 35 for detachably connecting the entire retaining and signaling device with the apertured pull tab 5 of an operator 4 for a slide fastener 4. As shown in Figures 1-4, inclusive, but best seen in the enlarged view thereof in Figure 4, the connector 35 comprises, in one embodiment thereof, an inverted T-shaped bracket 36 having a shank 37 that has a crosspiece 38 at one end thereof and a tubular bearing 39 at the other end adapted to receive therethrough loop 34 mounted on flange 22, as best seen in Figures l-3. Mounted on one extending section of crosspiece 38 by means of a pivot pin 40 is a tong bar 41, while mounted on the other section of crosspiece 38 in similar manner is a second tong bar 42 in opposed and cooperative relationship with the tong bar 41. On one end of tong 42 is fastened a rod 43 that extends forwardly therefrom, while tong 41 is provided with an aperture 44 in alignment with rod 43. Bent double and retained between the opposed ends of tongs 41 and 42 remote from the ends bearing aperture 44 and rod 43, respectively, is a leaf spring 45 that urges said opposed ends of the tongs 41 and 42 away from each other so that the other ends thereof are urged in the direction towards each other.

As will be evident from inspection of Figure 4, the tongs 41, 42 may be manipulated by squeezing the lefthand ends thereof against the biasing action of leaf spring 45 so that rod 43 is pulled out of aperture 44. With the connector 35 in such condition, the apertured tab 5 of operator 4, rod 43 and aperture 44 may be positioned in alignment. In such position, the spring-urged ends of tongs 41 and 42 may be released whereby rod 43 is urged to enter aperture 44 while extending through the aperture of tab 5 to secure connector 35 thereto. As will be apparent, the connector 35 may be disengaged at will from the apertured tab 5 by merely squeezing the tong ends together against the action of leaf spring 45 whereby the opposite ends of the tongs are spread apart and rod 43 is withdrawn from aperture 44 to permit disengagement of tab 5 from rod 43.

Another embodiment of the connector 35 is shown in Figure 5 wherein a vertical shank 37 has mounted at its upper end a bearing 39, while the opposite end of shank 37 has a vertical extension 38. The vertical extension 38 has struck therefrom a tang 41' that is attached at one end to the shank 3'7 and bent in the shape of an S, as best seen in Figure 6, so that one portion extends through slot 44' beyond the plane of extension 38 and the other portion behind such plane. As shown in Figure 6, con nector 35 is operated simply by pressing the forwardly extending portion of tang 41' inwardly, whereby the rear ward portion thereof is pushed back to the position indicated in broken lines so that the end 43' thereof is beyond the plane of extension 38 In such position of tang 41', the apertured tab 5 of a slide fastener operator 4 may he slid in back of extension 33' with the aperture of tab 5 in alignment with the end 43 of tang 41. Thereafter, upon release of the front end of tang 41, end 43 thereof is urged forwardly and enters the aperture of tab 5 to hold such tab in locked engagement against the rear surface of extension 38.

In the use or operation of the entire retaining and signaling device, the connector 35 or 35 is fastened to the apertured tab 5 of the operator 4 of slide fastener 4 for the fly front of a pair of trousers 2. After the conventional belt 7 used therewith has been fastened by selecting a desired hole 11 into which prong of buckle 8 has been inserted and end 13 has been drawn through belt loops 12, the slide fastener operator 4 may be drawn to closed position with the use of the device 14 as manipulator, if desired. Then, with reference to Figures 1 and 3, the U-shaped channel provided by flanges 22 and 23 on main body 15 is forced on to the substantially horizontal bottom rail of buckle frame 9 so that spring element 24 snaps behind the aforesaid rail that, as shown, may be inclined from the vertical but still be accommodated. The device 14 is then pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 with body 20 extending outwardly sufiiciently in channels 18 provided on body 15 so that flange 26 and clamp 27 thereof clear the upper rail of frame 9 of buckle 8. Subsequently, body 20 is pushed downwardly in channels 18 of body 15 until the U-shaped channel provided by flanges 25 and 26 on body 20 nests over the upper rail of buckle 8 with resilient S-curved clamp 27 therebehind, whereby device 14 is eifectively fastened to the belt buckle 8 at top and bottom. In this position of device 14, minor deviations in the parallel relationship between upper and lower rails of buckle frame 9 are accommodated by the lateral play of legs 19 in channels 18 referred to hereinbefore. This, in efiect, permits limited relative swiveling between bodies 15 and 20 in the common main plane thereof.

As will be clear upon examination of Figure 3, the outward relationship of bell clapper 28 being limited by stop lug 33, as previously described; engagement of bell clapper 28 with the front surface of the material of belt 7 during the counterclockwise movement of body 15 and downward movement of body 20 is assured to cause wedging of clapper 28 between such belt surface and the inner surface of main body 15 that is presented between the outwardly extending legs 19 of body 20. In such position, while bell clapper 28 is effectively held against any signaling engagement with the aforesaid inner surface of main body 15, slide fastener operator 4' is eifectively retained to prevent any accidental opening of the slide fastener 4.

When the wearer desires to open slide fastener 4 for any reason, he merely grasps body 20 with the aid of lip 37 and lifts body 20 in channels 18 until resilient clamp 27 on flange 26 snaps out of engagement with the rear surface of upper rail 9 of buckle 8. Subsequently, the device may be pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, on lower rail 9 of buckle 8. After tab 5 with device 14 connected thereto has been pulled to open fastener 4 as desired, the wearer allows the device 14 to remain suspended in the position shown in Figure 2. In such position, as will be obvious, any movement of the wearer will cause bell clapper 28 mounted on stem 29 to swing on spindle 30 into striking engagement with the inner surface of main body 15, whereby an audible sound results. Thus, in the event the wearer neglects to pull tab 5 of slide fastener operator 4 back to closed position and thus does not allow reaffixing of the device 14 to the belt buckle 8 as previously described, device 14 will remain in the suspended position shown in Figure 2 anywhere along the slide fastener track 4 it has been left. As will be understood, no matter what such position, the mere fact that the device 14 is in freely suspended position will result in audible signaling upon movement of the wearer so as to apprise him of the open condition of the slide fastener 4 whereby he may take proper steps to correct the condition and fasten the device 14 to the belt buckle 8 to retain the slide fastener 4 in closed position until desired otherwise.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 7, wherein similar structures are designated by the same reference numerals used in Figures 1-6. In this case, however, there are additional structures on both the main body 15' and body 20 of device 14 for purposes that will appear hereinafter. Specifically, there is additionally struck from body 15', a pair of opposed holding elements each comprised of a lug 41 substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main body 15 and a second lug 42' supported thereon and bent from the first lug 41 to extend substantially in the plane of body 15 whereby opposed channels 43' are provided.

Beneath the lugs 41 and substantially aligned therewith, are a pair of outstanding lugs 44' that also have additional lugs 45' attached thereto and bent therefrom to extend likewise substantially in the plane of the main body 15, thereby to define opposed channels 46 that may be in substantial alignment with opposed channels 43 thereab'ove. Lugs 45' differ from lugs 42' in that the former, at their bottom edges, support additional lugs 47' bent therefrom into substantially perpendicular relationship to the surface of body to thereby form, in effect, closures for the lower ends of channels 46'. Lugs 41', 42 and lugs 44, 45', 47' may be provided by striking single pieces, respectively, from the body 15' and then bending to the required contours as indicated in Figure 7 and in conventional manner per se in the metal fabricating art, or may be furnished as attached elements, likewise conventionally.

Afiixed to the front surface of main body 15 and positioned substantially between lugs 41' is a small pad 51' of resilient material such as leather, plastic, or the like, for a purpose that will become apparent hereinafter.

Body is modified to the extent of having a pair of resilient tangs 60' struck from flange and bent downwardly for a purpose that will likewise become apparent from the description following.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 7, there is provided for seating in the substantially aligned channels 43' and 46' defined on body 15, a signaling device 55'. Signaling device 55 is gently arcuate in horizontal cross section and of a width substantially less than the distance defined between lugs 41 on body 15'. As shown, signaling device 55 is provided with a set of outstanding lugs 56, preferably integral therewith, that extend a distance so that the ends thereof may be confined within channels 43, as will appear presently. On the rear surface of the signaling device 55, are a pair of brackets 31' that support a spindle to which is attached a rod 29'. Afiixed to rod 2W, on one end thereof, is a bell clapper 28 and, at the other end, a stop lug 33' 'for limiting outward pivotal movement, as similarly described for the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1-3. The lowermost portion of device 55', as viewed in Figure 7, is bent upon itself to'provide a horizontally disposed resilient bead 53' of a depth just larger than the horizontal depth of channels 46' as defined by the lengths of lugs 44. Afiixed to the bottom of bead 58' on signaling device 55" is a loop 34' to which there may be attached an operating tab connector such as connector 35 or 35'. Connector 35 is shown in Figure 7 by way of example.

In the use of this embodiment of the invention, device 14 is applied to a belt buckle precisely in the manner described in detail for device 14 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. However, in the present case, when body 20' is pushed downwardly to cause clamping engagement of S-curve 27 behind the upper rail of the buckle frame to which the device is being attached, downwardly struck tangs 60' resiliently engage the rail from above to thereby compensate for and permit of any minor deviation from the parallel of upper and lower rails of the buckle frame. This is often the case for these structures that do vary within certain limits. The tangs 60 augment the inherent adaptability of device 14' already due to the small play permitted in channels 18 as described for device 14. Thereafter, signaling device 55', previously attached to the apertured pull tab of the slide fastener of a pair of trousers by means of connector 35, and after such tab has been pulled to the closed position, is held by the wearer against the front'surface of body 15 with clapper 23' in abutment therewith and lugs 56 just above channels 43 while bead 58 is just above channels 46'. In such relationship to body 15, device 55 is pushed downwardly until bead 58' locks home in channels 46' and lugs 56" slide into channels 43.

In operation of this embodiment of the invention, the

main assembly need not be removed (from the belt-buckle with which it is used, everytime the slide fastener with which it is associated is to be opened, but only when it is desired to open the belt buckle as well. Otherwise, as will be apparent, when the wearer desires only to open the slide fastener, he merely lifts the signaling device 55 in channels 43 and 46 until lugs 56 are free of their respective retaining means, lugs 41 and 42, and the head 58 on the bottom of signaling device 55' is free of its retaining means lugs 44', 45' and 47'. The device 55, thus released from the main assembly 14', permits opening of the slide fastener to which it is attached. As described for the embodiment disclosed in Figures l-3, whenever signaling device 55' is permitted to dangle on the apertured tab of a slide fastener, bell clapper 28' will continue to give an audible signal as device 55' swings freely to and fro. When it is desired to close. and retain the slide fastener in such condition, the pull tab thereof is manipulated to the proper position and the signaling device 55' is pulled upwardly and against device 14 and then pushed downwardly to be retained thereon as already described. Clapper 28' will then be wedged between the resilient pad 51 mounted on the front face of main body 15' and the inner surface of device 55' to prevent any audible signal at such time.

Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention as applied to a belt buckle of the sliding and wedging or camming type known in the art. Customarily, such buckles have a front surface web of metal that may bear decorative embossings or other markings, such as initials, for ersonalizing such belts. As is conventional with buckles of this type, the web of the belt is accommodated behind the front surface of the buckle and retained there by rearwardly projecting top and bottom rails, as well as by the characterizing wedging or camming means of such buckles. in accordance with the invention, however, the buckle 108 is preferably of a greater depth than normal due to the provision of rearwardly projecting rails 109 of larger widths than usual for a purpose that will soon appear.

Stamped, or otherwise provided in the front surface web 114 of buckle 108, is a recess or pocket 143 of a depth 144 at any point less than the least depth of rails M9 to permit the passing of belt end 113' within the rails 109 for proper functioning of the camming and locking function thereof, as will be well understood. Also stamped, or otherwise provided, this time in the depressed surface 118 of pocket 143, are a pair of snap fastener protuberances 142. Depressed surfaces 118 has mounted thereon a pad 151 of leather or plastic that is provided with a vertical groove 152. The bottom periphery 147 of pocket 14-3 is formed as a ledge that has a longitudinal channel or groove 146 therein.

Operatively associated with the aforesaid buckle structure is a housing 155 having walls 116, 122, and dimensioned for fitting within pocket 143 of buckle 108, and a front plate 115, which, as shown, extends beyond the walls of housing 155. Connecting the upper portions of walls 116, as viewed in Figure 8, is a web 126 of metal in which are stamped, or otherwise provided, a pair of snap fastener protuberance receivers 136 adapted to lockingly receive snap fastener protuberances 142 as will presently appear. Mounted on the interior surface of wall 122, are a pair of brackets 131 that function as bearings for a spindle 131). Attached to spindle is a rod 129 that has mounted on its free end a bell clapper 128 shown in broken lines. A longitudinal ridge 158 is provided on the exterior surface of Wall 122. Mounted on the bottom edge of plate 115 is a metal loop 134 on which is carried a connector 35, adapted to be attached to the apertured tab of the slide fastener for the trousers with which the belt, buckle, and retaining and signaling device are to be used.

In the use of this embodiment of the invention, the belt 107 is locked in the'position shown in Figure 8 and connector 35 is attached to the apertured tab of the slide fastener of the trousers with which the belt and device is to be used (the trousers and slide fastener have been omitted from Figure 8 to simplify the showing). Thereafter, the slide fastener is pulled to closed position and housing 155 is positioned so that it extends toward and is aligned with pocket 143. The bottom wall 122 of housing 155 is then inserted into the bottom region of pocket 143 so that ridge 158 on wall 122 fits into groove 146 in bottom ledge 147 of pocket 143. Then, with ridge 158 fulcruming in groove 146, housing 155 is pivoted back into pocket 143 until snap fastener receivers 156 on web 126 of housing 155 snappingly receive snap fastener protuberances 142 on surface 118 of pocket 143. At the same time, rod 129 is gripped by groove 152 in pad 151 so that the former is restrained against movement. In such relationship of housing 155 to buckle 108, larger dimensioned plate 115 assumes the position 115a indicated in Figure 8 in broken lines, with upper edge 137 extending above the upper rail 109 of buckle 108 as indicated in dotted lines at 137a. As will be understood, the front surface of plate 115 may be provided with the usual decoration and/ or embossing that may include initials for personalizing the device.

Since any pulling force exerted by the tab of the slide fastener upon housing 155 via connector 35 will have a main component downwardly against ledge 147, any minor component substantially perpendicular thereto urging snap fastener protuberances 142 and receivers 156 apart, is negligible. However, when the wearer for any reason, desires to open the slide fastener with which the device is associated, he pushes with his thumb or nail outwardly against the rear surface of upstanding edge 137 (in position 137a) of plate 115 whereby housing 155, now pivoting outwardly on ridge 158 in groove 146, moves suificiently so that snap fastener protuberances 142 and receivers 156 disengage and housing 155 falls forwardly until it is suspended upside down on connector 35 attached to the apertured tab of the slide fastener. The tab may then be pulled downwardly to open the slide fastener as desired. In such position of the parts, housing 155 dangles upside down on connector 35 with rod 129 and clapper 128 thereon free to swing on spindle 131 upon any movement that will induce such swinging. As will be obvious, swinging movement of housing 155 results in repeated contacts of clapper 128 with the interior surfaces of plate 115 and web 126, respectively, whereby an audible signal results to warn the wearer of the open condition of the slide fastener. This situation obtains until the wearer chooses to pull the slide fastener shut, at which time the housing 155 may again be attached to buckle 108 in the manner already described above, whereby the clapper is rendered immobile and the slide fastener retained in closed position until the wearer desires otherwise.

In Figure 9 there is illustrated a housing 155' adapted for use with a buckle of the type shown in Fig. 8. Housing 155' has a structure that varies only slightly from that of housing 155 of Figure 8. Specifically, the sole differences reside in that no snap fastener receivers similar to 156 on web 126 of housing 155 are provided on web 126 of housing 155'. In lieu thereof, there is provided at the top of housing 155 a leaf spring element 156' having a ridge 108' crimped therein and a finger piece 137 bent therefrom at the free end thereof. For use with this variant of the housing, buckle 108 of Figure 8 may be modified to the slight extent of having snap fastener protuberances 142 omitted, while a groove, similar to groove 146 in the bottom ledge of pocket 143, is also provided in the upper ledge 148 thereof to snappingly receive ridge 158' when housing 155' is positioned in pocket 143 with ridge 158' in bottom groove 146, and then pivoted inwardly on ridge 158' as fulcrum. For permitting removal of housing 155' from pocket 143, finger-piece 137' on leaf spring element 156' is pressed downwardly a sufiicient amount to permit disengagement of ridge 158 from the groove in upper ledge 148 and housing 155' is then pivoted outwardly on ridge 158. The functions and uses of housing 155' are otherwise precisely the same as for housing 155.

Figure 10 illustrates a form of the invention that is applicable without the necessity for a belt buckle of any kind. Accordingly, this form is particularly useful for garments, other than mens trousers, that are equipped with slide fasteners. Instead of a belt buckle as supporting means for the removable housing that carries the audible signaling means and tab connecting means, as in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, for example; there is provided instead a casing 108' that has aflixed to the rear 120' thereof, conventional pin and locking elements 110' and 111, respectively. By the two last-named means, casing 108' may be fastened to a garment in a region closely adjacent the location of the tab of the garment slide fastener when such tab has been pulled to the position for closing the fastener. The casing 108' has a pocket 143' (shown in broken lines), substan tially similar to the pocket 143 of buckle 108 shown in Figure 8. As will be understood, pocket 143 may be provided with grooved ledges, grooved pad and snap fastener protuberances similar to these structures 146, 147, 148, 152, and 142, respectively, of Figure 8, but such structures are not indicated in Figure 10 for the sake of simplifying the disclosure.

Operatively associated with casing 108', and shown supported in pocket 143' thereof, is housing 155 that may be substantially identical with the housing 155 of Figure 8, including extending plate 115 on the front surface thereof, loop 134 carried at the bottom thereof and supporting connector 35 and brackets 131 (shown in broken lines) mounted in the interior thereof, as well as supporting spindle with rod 129 attached thereto and bearing bell clapper 128. Snap fastener receivers (not shown) are also provided on the rear surface of housing precisely as indicated in Figure 8. It will be obvious that, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, housing 155' of Figure 9 may be substituted for housing 155. In any case, it will be clear that operation and use of the device of Figure 10, apart from the mode of attachment to the garment per se as already described above, is similar to that described for the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 depending upon the choice of housing 155 or 155'.

The device of Figure 11, as that of Figure 10, is suitable for use with slide fastener-equipped garments, without the need for a belt buckle of any kind as supporting means. As will be evident by comparison with the Figure 10 embodiment, that illustrated in Figure 11 difiers therefrom essentially only in choice of tab connector 35, in the type of fastening-to-garment means 110" for the supporting casing 108", and in the contour of the casing 108", as well as of the housing 155" with plate 115 thereon. Specifically, tab connector 35' is that shown in more detail in Figure 5, fastening means 110" is of the conventional clip type having an inwardly contoured resilient shank 111', preferably of metal. The method of attachment of casing 108" to a garment by slipping clip 110 over an edge thereof in a region adjacent that reached by the tab of a slide fastener when pulled to closed position, will be clear, particularly in the light of the previous descriptions, as will also be clear the use of the device by removal from and attachment to casing 108" of housing 155" that is connected to the slide fastener tab by means of connector 35'. The contour of the parts shown is merely illustrative of various contours that may be chosen, which lend themselves to decorative treatment, as is of particular importance when the garment may be a ladys dress, skirt, blouse or the like. For example, the device may then be in the decorative form of a brooch, scatter pin, medallion, or

the like, and still embody the present invention.

In Figures 12 and 13, there is illustrated a form of the invention that is particularly adapted for use with slide fasteners of mens trousers not equipped with a belt, but, as will later be apparent, not necessarily limited to such use. As shown in Figure 12, the device of this embodiment comprises a cylindrical metal casing 175 closed at one end by a metal screw cap 176 that has either integral therewith or welded thereto, or otherwise attached thereto, a tubular bearing 1'77. Tubular bearing 177, as best seen in Figure 13 that is a vertical crosssection of casing 175 of Figure 12, but inverted to better illustrate the functioning thereof hereinafter, is positioned with its longitudinal axis 178 slightly inclined toward that of cylindrical casing for a purpose that will presently appear. Slidably mounted in bearing 177 is a rod 179 having a contact ball 18% at one end and a manipulating disc 181 at the other. The other end 182 of casing 175 may be rounded as shown, and, in any case is provided with an aperture 183 through which reciprocates a rod 184 having a loop 185 by which rod 184 may be attached directly, or by means of a cord 174, extensible or otherwise, and/or by means of a connector, such as 35 or 35 of Figures 4 and 5, respectively, to the tab of the slide fastener (none of which last structures are shown).

As best shown in Figure 13, the interior of casing 175 is divided into two main compartments by means of an apertured disc 186 of insulating material. In the lower compartment 137 (as viewed in Figure 13) there is housed a small dry cell 188 of the conventional type used in fountain pen lighters and the like. As shown, dry cell 188 is positioned with its metal surface 189 in contact with the metal spring 190 carried by metal cap 176 for the purposes of urging dry cell 188 against a metal contact 191 fixed in the aperture 192 of disc 186, and for acting as conductor between metal surface 189 of cell 188 and metal casing 175 as is conventional in the flashlight art, for example.

Mounted on the interior surface of casing 175, but insulated therefrom, is a small solenoid core 193. A conducting wire 194 is connected at one end thereof to metal contact 191. Wire 194 then forms the winding 195 for solenoid core 193 and the other end 196 of wire 194- is connected to a resilient metal vibrator 197 at the end 198 thereof by which it is fixedly mounted on a spindle 199 supported on the interior Walls of cylindrical casing 175, but also insulated therefrom. Vibrator 197 is adapted to move in the field of solenoid core 193 from the position shown in full lines 197 to the flexed position shown in broken lines 197a wherein an insulated stop 199' is abutted upon energization of coil 195, and to snap back to full line position 197 against combined stop and contact 201 when coil 195 is deenergized. Combined stop and contact 201 is insulated by insulating strip 292 along which conducting wire 20$ attached to contact 201 extends.

Press-fitted within casing 175 is an insulating cup 204 that has an inturned bead 295 at its open end that functions as retaining means for an annular metal contact disc 2% to which conducting wire is connected at 207, as shown. The end of rod 184 within casing 175 has aifixed thereto a circular metal contact disc 208 adapted to reciprocate axially of insulating cup 204. A spring 209 encircles the portion of rod 1S4 inside casing 175 and is retained betweenthe inner surface of casing 175 surrounding aperture 183 and theopposed surface of circular contact disc 2tv8 so as to bias disc 208 downwardly, as viewed in Figure 13, and out of contact with annular disc 2%. Annular bead 210 on the interior surface of casing 175 may be provided as a seat for cup 204.

In the use of this embodiment of the invention, after the device has been connected to the tab of .the slide fastener by any of the means referred to above, the casing 175 may be affixed to a top edge 211 of trousers or garment 212, in the position shown in Figure 12. This is done by holding casing in the desired position with rod 179 extended upwardly, and pushing rod 179 down behind the rear surface of trousers or garment 212 with the use of manipulator 131 until rod 179 assumes the position of 179a. At such time, due to the angle provided for axis 178 of bearing 177, ball on the end of rod 1'79 will effectively grip the material of the garment between it (ball 180) and the surface of casing 175, as will be clear, to afiix casing 175 in the tab retaining position. When it is desired to pull the tab of the slide fastener to open position, rod 179 is lifted by means of manipulator 131 to withdraw ball 18% from wedging engagement with garment 2112 held between ball 180 and casing 175. Casing 175 may then be dropped, at which time it is suspended in the inverted position shown in Figure 13.

With casing 175 suspended as shown in Figure 13, the weight thereof is sufficient to pull downwardly against the biasing action of spring 2G9 until annular contact ring 296 abuts disc 208 on the end of rod 184. In such position of parts and with resilient vibrator 197 in the full line position shown, a circuit including dry cell 183 is completed via metal contact 191, connecting wire 1%, solenoid coil 195, connecting wire 196, vibrator 197, contact 291, wire 2%, annular disc 2%, spring 2-99, casing 175, cap 176, spring and metal surface 189 of dry cell 183. 'Energization of solenoid core 193 thus being caused, vibrator 197 is pulled to flexed position 197a shown in dotted lines out of abutment with contact 2%. This immediately breaks the circuit and causes deenergization of core 193, whereby vibrator 197 snaps back into abutment with contact 201 to remake the circuit. This make and break action just described continues repeatedly as long as casing 175' is suspended in inverted position on the tab of the slide fastener, whereby vibrator 197, in alternately striking contact 261 and stop 199, continuously causes an audible signal. Thus, the wearer is kept informed of the open condition of his slide fastener. Upon closing of the slide fastener, casing 175 may again be alfixed to the edge of garment 212 in righted position, as already described with reference to Figure 12, whereby spring 2659 lifts disc 2% out of contact with annular contact 2&6 to break the circuit and thereby render the audible signal silent until the next use.

From the above description, it is thought that the various embodiments and advantages of our invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, as will the possibilities of interchanging certain features of specific embodiments with those of other embodiments, with or without modification. Various changes in detail of the embodiments shown may also be made without departing from the spirit, or losing the primary advantages of the invention, as will also be understood. As will be clear, those metals and other materials will be chosen for fabricating the devices of the present invention in accordance with the desires of those skilled in the art and also depending upon the type and kind of audible signal desired; is. as to loudness and tone, or frequency thereof, etc.

We claim:

1. In combination with a garment having a slit therein, a slide fastener for opening and closing the slit, and a tab mounted on said slide fastener, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means connecting said housing to said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing to said garment in substantially fixed relationship therewith and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible sig naling means being so constructed and arranged that it is rendered inoperative when said housing is attached both to said garment in substantially fixed relationship therewith and to said tab and is rendered operative when said housing is detached from said garment and suspended from said tab in substantially free-swinging relationship thereto.

2. In combination with a garment having a slit therein, a slide fastener for opening and closing the slit, and a tab mounted on said slide fastener, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means connecting said housing to said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing to said garment in substantially fixed relationship therewith, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means comprising a movable sounder element, said housing carrying means responsive to connection of said housing to said garment in substantially fixed relationship therewith for rendering said sounder element of said audible signaling means inoperative and to render said sounder element operative when said housing is detached from said garment and suspended from said tab in substantially free-swinging relationship thereto.

3. In combination with a garment having a slit therein, a slide fastener for opening and closing the slit, and an apertured tab mounted on said slide fastener, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means connecting said housing at one end thereof with said apertured tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably con necting said housing to said garment in substantially fixed relationship therewith, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means comprising a movable sounder element, said housing carrying means responsive to connection of said housing to said garment in substantially fixed relationship therewith for rendering said movable sounder element stationary and inoperative, said movable sounder element being operatively associated with other parts of said audible signaling means so as to be rendered movable and operative when said housing is detached from said garment and permitted to be suspended in substantially free-swinging relationship thereto at said one end thereof from said apertured tab of said slide fastener.

4. In combination with a pair of trousers having a fly opening, a slide fastener for opening and closing said fly, a tab mounted on said slide fastener, a belt for said trousers, and said belt having a buckle, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means connecting said housing to said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing to said buckle of said belt in substantially fixed relationship with said buckle, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means being so constructed and arranged that it is rendered inoperative when said housing is attached both to said buckle in substantially fixed relationship therewith and to said tab and is rendered operative when said housing is detached from said buckle and suspended from said tab in substantially free-swinging relationship thereto.

5. In combination with a pair of trousers having a fly opening, a slide fastener, for opening and closing said fly, a tab mounted on said slide fastener, a belt for said trousers, and said belt having a buckle, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means connecting said housing to said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing to said buckle of said belt in substantially fixed relationship with said buckle, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means comprising a movable sounder element, said housing carrying means responsive to connection of said housing to said buckle in substantially fixed relationship therewith for rendering said sounder element of said audible signaling means inoperative and to render said sounder element operative when said housing is detached from said buckle and suspended from said tab in substantially. free-swinging relationship thereto.

6. In combination with a pair of trousers having a fly opening, a slide fastener for opening and closing said fly, a tab mounted on said slide fastener, a belt for said trousers, and said belt having a frame and prong buckle, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means detachably connecting said housing at one end thereof, with said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing with said frame of said buckle in substantially fixed relationship with said frame said second means comprising clamping means for releasably engaging the top and bottom edges of said frame, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means comprising a rod pivotally attached at one end thereof to said housing and a bell clapper mounted on the free end of said rod, said rod and bell clapper thereon being mounted on said housing so that they are wedged between the web of said belt extending through said frame and said housing when said housing is attached to said frame in substantially fixed relationship therewith, and are free to swing to and fro so that said bell clapper intermittently engages said housing to pro duce and audible signal when said housing is detached from said buckle frame and suspended at said one end from said tab in substantially free-swinging relationship thereto.

7. In combination with a pair of trousers having a fly opening, a slide fastener for opening and closing said fly, a tab mounted on said slide fastener, a belt for said trousers, and said belt having a frame and prong buckle, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means detachably connecting said housing at one end thereof with said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing with said frame of said buckle in substantially fixed relationship with said frame, said second means comprising clamping means for releasably engaging the top and bottom edges of said frame and mounting means for detachably mounting said housing thereon, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means comprising a rod pivotally attached at one end thereof to said housing and a bell clapper mounted on the free end of said rod, said rod and bell clapper thereon being mounted on said housing so that they are wedged between the surface of said clamping means and said housing when said housing is mounted on said clamping means, and are free to swing to and fro so that said bell clapper intermittently engages said housing to produce an audible signal when said housing is dismounted from said clamping means and suspended at said one end from said tab in free-swinging relationship thereto.

8. In combination with a pair of trousers having a fly opening, a slide fastener for opening and closing said fiy, a tab mounted on said slide fastener, a belt for said trousers, and said belt having a camming surface buckle, the improvement residing in: a combined retaining and signaling means comprising a housing, first means detachably connecting said housing at one end thereof with said tab of said slide fastener, second means detachably connecting said housing with said buckle in substantially fixed relationship therewith, said second means comprising cooperating locking members on said buckle and said housing, and audible signaling means mounted on said housing, said audible signaling means comprising a rod pivotally attached at one end thereof to said housing and a bell clapper mounted on the free end of said rod, said rod and bell clapper thereon being mounted on said housing so that they are wedged between the Web of said buckle and said housing when said housing is attached to said buckle, and are free to swing to and fro so that said bell clapper intermittently engages said housing to produce an audible signal when said housing is detached from said buckle and suspended at said oneend from said tab in substantially free-swinging relationship thereto.

9. A combined retaining and signaling device for garment slide fasteners, comprising: a housing, attaching means mounted on said housing and adapted to be connected to the tab of a garment slide fastener, mounting means attached to said housing and adapted to be connected to the garment with which the slide fastener is associated, and audible signaling means carried by said housing.

10. A combined retaining and signaling device for garment slide fasteners comprising: a housing, attaching means mounted on said housing and adapted to be connected to the tab of a garment slide fastener, mounting means removably attached to said housing, said mounting means comprising attachment means adapted to be connected to the garment with which the slide fastener is associated, and audible signaling means carried by said housing.

11. A combined retaining and signaling device for garment slide fasteners comprising: a housing, attaching means mounted on said housing and adapted to be connected to the tab of a garment slide fastener, mounting means removably attached to said housing, said mounting means comprising attachment means adapted to be connected to the garment with which the slide fastener is associated, and audible signaling means carried by said housing and comprising a movable sounder element that is rendered stationary when said housing is attached to said mounting means.

12. A combined retaining and signaling device for the apertured pulltab of a slide fastener for the fly opening of a pair of trousers with which a belt having a frame and prong buckle is associated, comprising: a housing, said housing comprising a pair of plates, one of said plates bearing channel means within which the other of said plates is mounted for movement in substantially the Common main plane of both said plates, attaching means mounted on one of said plates and adapted to be connected to the apertured pull tab of a trousers slide fastener, mounting means attached to said housing, said mounting means comprising a pair of clamps, one of which is at the remote end of each of said plates, respectively, and is adapted to be connected, respectively, to a rail of the buckle frame of the belt associated with the trousers with which the slide fastener in turn is associated, and audible signaling means carried by said housing and comprising a rod pivotally mounted at one end thereof on one of said plates and carrying a bell clapper at the other end thereof 13. A combined retaining and signaling device for the apertured pull tab of a slide fastener for the fly opening of a pair of trousers with which a belt having a frame and prong buckle is associated, comprising: a

housing, attaching means mounted on said housing and adapted to be connected to the apertured pull tab of a trousers slide fastener, mounting means attached to said housing, said mounting means comprising (1) a plurality of extensions on said housing, (2) a separate body comprising a pair of plates, one of said plates bearing first channel means within which the other of said plates is mounted for movement in substantially the common main plane of both said plates, (3) second channel means on one of said plates that removably receive said extensions of said housing, and (4) a pair of clamps, one of which is at the remote end of each of said plates, respec tively, and is adapted to be connected, respectively, to a rail of the buckle frame of the belt associated with the trousers to which the slide fastener in turn is associated, and audible signaling means carried by said housing and comprising a rod pivotally mounted at one end thereof on one of said plates and carrying a bell clapper at the other end thereof.

14. A combined retaining and signaling device as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least one of the clamps is provided With resilient means that extend in a plane substantially parallel to the common main plane of the two plates and are adapted to engage a surface of a buckle frame rail at a location spaced from the location where the associated clamp engages the same rail.

15. A combined retaining and signaling device for the apertured pull tab of a slide fastener for the fly opening of a pair of trousers with which a belt having a camming action front-surface buckle is associated, comprising: a housing, attaching means mounted onsaid housing and adapted to be connected to the aper-tured pull tab of a trousers slide fastener, mounting means attached to said housing, said mounting means comprising at least one snap fastener and a cooperating ledge adapted, respectively, to be connected to and seated on cooperating structures of a camming front-surfaced buckle of the belt associated with the trousers with which the slide fastener in turn is associated, and audible signaling means carried by said housing and comprising a rod pivotally mounted at one end thereof on said housing and carrying a bell clapper at the other end thereof.

16. A combined retaining and signaling device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said mounting means comprises manually-operated release means for the snap fastener.

17. A combined retaining and signaling device for garment slide fasteners comprising: a housing, attaching means mounted on said housing and adapted to be connected to the tab of a garment slide fastener, mounting means attached to said housing and adapted to be connected to the garment with which the slide fastener is associated, audible signaling means carried by said housing and comprising a movable sounder element, electrical means for moving said sounder including a source of current, a circuit and switch means for said circuit, said switch means being responsive to suspension of said housing by said attaching means to close the circuit and render said electrical means operative to move said sounder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,111,924 Etten Mar. 22, 1938 2,554,964 Stephan May 29, 1951 2,569,371 Cohen Sept. 25, 1951 2,656,579 Wilson Oct. 27, 1953 2,675,559 Miller Apr. 20, 1954 2,782,482 Baril et a1. Feb. 26, 1957 

